The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) will hold the 2nd Annual Western Semi-Finals Competitions on April 6-7, 2019 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and April 13-14, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio for IEA riders in grades 6-12 from across the nation.
Youth Western riders competed in regular season shows in their respective regions using a draw-based system, whereby riders draw their mount from a supplied pool of horses. Each region also conducted a post-season Regional Finals in order to determine which teams and individual riders qualified for these Semi-Finals events. The top 3 riders and teams from each region move-on to Semi-Finals.
The first Semi-Finals in Tennessee will be held at Middle Tennessee State University Miller Horse Science Center & Coliseum in Murfreesboro. This event will be judged by Allen Mitchels (AQHA, NRHA, NSBA, NCHA, NRCHA) and Kim Myers (AQHA, NRHA, NSBA, APHA). The second Semi-Finals in Ohio will be held at the Ohio State Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Columbus and will coincide with Equine Affaire – one of the largest equine expos in the United States. This event will be judged by Debbie Kail (AQHA, NSBA) and Carla Wennburg (AQHA, NRHA, NSBA). Over 150 qualified riders will attend each Semi-Finals competition.
The top 6 teams and individual riders from each Semi-Finals will progress to the IEA Western National Finals to be held on June 15-16, 2019 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma during the NRHA Derby.
Major sponsors for the 2019 IEA Western Semi-Finals include Title Sponsor, National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) along with Bob’s Custom Saddles (Official Western Saddle Sponsor of the IEA), C4 Belts, Cinch Jeans, Equine Affaire, Kimes Ranch, and Matt Mills Reining Horses.
A full schedule of both Western Semi-Finals events can be found at www.rideiea.org.